Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Foolish; stupid; unwise: Describes an action, decision, or behavior that shows a serious lack of good judgment, sense, or forethought. It implies acting without considering the obvious negative or dangerous consequences.
   • Rash; reckless: Often carries a connotation of acting impulsively or thoughtlessly in a way that could lead to harm.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hành động đó thật dại dột. (That action was truly foolish.)
  • Đừng có dại dột mà đi một mình trong đêm. (Don't be stupid and go out alone at night.)
  • Anh ấy đã đưa ra một quyết định dại dột. (He made a reckless decision.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used in a tone of warning, criticism, or regret concerning a specific act. It is stronger and more critical than simply "ngốc" (silly) and often implies a failure of basic wisdom or prudence.

Variants and Related Words

• Dại (adj): foolish, silly (can be less severe or more general than "dại dột").
  • Nó còn trẻ nên đôi khi còn dại. (He is still young so sometimes he is still foolish.)
• Khờ dại (adj): simple-minded, naive.
• Hành động dại dột (noun phrase): a foolish/reckless act.

Synonyms

• Foolish: lacking good sense or judgment.
• Stupid: showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense.
• Unwise: not wise; foolish.
• Reckless: without thinking or caring about the consequences of an action.
• Imprudent: not showing care for the consequences of an action; unwise.

Related Idioms

• Dại dột chết người: (lit. foolish to the point of causing death) describes an act of extreme and dangerous foolishness.
  • Leo lên đó mà không có dây bảo hiểm là dại dột chết người. (Climbing up there without a safety harness is suicidally foolish.)

adj

1. foolish; stupid